Heritage Food Stories Podcast

Welcome to Heritage Food Stories - Season 2 - Episode 7 - Stories of Resistance in the British Caribbean I’m your host, Chef Mireille - culinary historian, food educator and cultural storyteller with a lifelong passion for exploring global cuisines, and the stories behind the food we eat. I preserve history, connect cultures and inspire curiosity through food. Every dish tells a story and it is my...

Welcome to Heritage Food Stories Season 2 Episode 8 - Suriname’s Broken Chains: The Story of EmancipationHeritage Food Stories Podcast explores the intersectionality of food and history. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the History of the Maroon's of Suriname: the best example of preserved African heritage and cultural survival in the Americas. Topics covered include:* Brief History of Su...

Heritage Food Stories Season 2 Episode 7 | The African Roots of Caribbean Carnival: Beyond the PartyMost people think Caribbean Carnival is about rum and costumes. It's actually a 200-year-old act of resistance rooted in African spiritual tradition — and almost nobody is telling that story. In this episode, Chef Mireille traces the true history of Caribbean Carnival from the enslaved people's yard...

Heritage Food Stories - Season 2 - Episode 6 - Why the Caribbean Tastes like AsiaThe Caribbean has always been one of the most ethnically diverse regions on earth — and a huge part of that story involves the hundreds of thousands of Indian, Chinese, and Javanese people brought to the islands as indentured laborers after slavery was abolished. In this episode, Chef Mireille traces how three major A...

In this episode, you will learn about the three primary indigenous tribes in the Caribbean - Kalinago, Garifuna and the Taino - and how they have influenced Caribbean culture - markedly in its cuisine - and how these communities live today. The indigenous people of the Caribbean did not disappear. In this episode of Heritage Food Stories, Chef Mireille explores the history, survival, and cultural...

Heritage Food Stories Podcast - Season 2 - Episode 4 - How the United States Destroyed Haiti's Rice IndustryWhat We Cover in This EpisodeHaiti's rice culture — why rice is not just a staple but the foundation of Haitian cuisine and identityHaiti's agricultural history — how the Artibonite Valley made Haiti one of the Caribbean's most productive rice regions, and how Haiti fed itself for nearly two...

Haiti was the first free Black nation in the world — and has been paying for it ever since. In this episode of Heritage Food Stories, Chef Mireille goes deep on the history that most schools never taught you: how the Haitian Revolution directly triggered the Louisiana Purchase, why Haitian Flag Day on May 18th is one of the most significant dates in the entire African diaspora, and how a country t...

What do Chinese noodles, South Indian flatbread, Portuguese colonial vinegar, and a 600-year-old fusion cuisine born from cross-cultural marriage all have in common? They're all part of the extraordinary story of Malaysian food history — and this week, Chef Mireille takes you deep inside one of the most diverse, underrated, and delicious culinary traditions in the world. From the ancient spice tra...

Heritage Food Stories Season 2: Episode 1: How Japanese Colonization Tried to Erase Korean Food Did you know Japan once demonized kimchi? In 1910, Japan colonized Korea — and in the decades that followed, they didn't just want Korea's land and labor. They tried to erase Korean culture entirely: the language, the history, the names, and yes, even the food. In this episode of Heritage Food Stories,...

Welcome to Heritage Food Stories - Episode 14 - Orthodox Easter: The Great Schism, the Ethiopian Church, and the Food That Brings It All Together Watch this podcast on my You Tube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNLTZEdPY6MYqEBaEvtM6YFOrpNkpDRFE Easter is almost here — but which Easter? If you assumed all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day, you're not alone. Most peop...

In this episode, we take you on a journey through the Kashmiri Wazwan , one of the most elaborate and celebrated culinary traditions in South Asia. More than just a meal, Wazwan is a multi-course feast that embodies the artistry, skill, and cultural pride of Kashmir. From perfectly spiced rogan josh and tender kebabs to fragrant Yakhni rice and delicate desserts, each dish tells a story and reflec...

Aruba may be famous for its beaches and year-round sunshine, but the true story of the island lies in its people, its history, and the cultural influences that shaped it over centuries. From the Caquetío Indigenous communities who first settled the island, to European colonization, African heritage, and waves of migration from Asia and Latin America, Aruba’s identity reflects the complex history o...

Heritage Food Stories Episode 11 explores the forgotten history of Indian indentured labor in the Caribbean and how hundreds of thousands of Indians were brought to the region after the abolition of slavery to work on sugar plantations. This episode examines the lasting impact of indentureship in Guyana, Trinidad, and Suriname, the complex identity of Indo-Caribbean communities, and how Indian tra...

In this episode, we unpack the real history behind St. Patrick’s Day and the journey of Irish immigrants in America. Long before green beer and parades, Irish families fleeing the Great Famine arrived in the United States facing poverty, anti-Irish discrimination, and “No Irish Need Apply” job signs. We explore how Irish immigrants were once viewed as outsiders, how race and the idea of whiteness...

In this episode, we explore the often overlooked history of African American cowboys and their role in shaping the American West. While popular culture has long portrayed the cowboy as a lone white figure riding across the frontier, historical records show that a significant portion of the working cowboys during the late nineteenth century were Black. We discuss how the word “cowboy” itself was sh...

In this episode, we explore the deep and often overlooked connection between Haiti and Louisiana, particularly New Orleans. After the Haitian Revolution, thousands of refugees from Saint-Domingue arrived in Louisiana, bringing with them language, culinary traditions, religious practices, architecture, and cultural customs that would permanently shape the region. We discuss how this migration trans...

Green seasoning is a staple across Caribbean and Latin American kitchens, known by names like epis, sofrito, and aji criolla. In this episode, we explore how these beloved seasoning bases trace their roots back to nokos , a West African culinary technique that survived enslavement and adapted across the African diaspora. Through history, memory, and technique, this conversation uncovers the deep A...

Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the oldest continuously celebrated festivals in the world. In this episode, we explore the history and meaning behind the two-week celebration, tracing its roots from the Shang Dynasty to modern global traditions. You’ll learn the legend of the Nian monster, the significance of the Chinese zodiac and the Year of the F...

There are some foods that don’t immediately win you over by looks alone. They don’t shimmer. They don’t style well on a plate. And they certainly don’t beg to be photographed. 🎧 Prefer listening? This article is available as a podcast episode above. Antillean callaloo is one of those foods. The kind made in Trinidad, Grenada, Dominica, and other Caribbean islands. Thick. Green-grey. Gloopy. Slimy...

In this episode, we explore Suriname — one of South America’s most culturally diverse and misunderstood countries. From its Dutch colonial history to its Indigenous roots, African Maroon communities, and waves of Indian, Indonesian, and Chinese migration, Suriname’s story is one of survival, resilience, and coexistence. Chef Mireille shares personal reflections on growing up Surinamese and unpacks...

🎧 Prefer listening? This article is available as a podcast episode above. West African fufu has officially taken the world by storm. Just a few years ago, the average person might not have been able to tell you what fufu and egusi soup were. Fast forward to today, and if you scroll through TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you can’t go more than a few seconds without seeing someone dramatically stre...

This episode of Heritage Food Stories explores the powerful and often overlooked connections between Haitian and Polish history, told through food, revolution, and shared struggles for freedom. Hosted by Chef Mireille, a classically trained NYC-based chef and food historian, this episode dives into the Haitian Revolution, the role of Polish soldiers in Haiti’s fight for independence, and the lasti...

🎧 Prefer listening? This article is available as a podcast episode above. There are many luscious, creamy holiday drinks throughout the Caribbean that rival eggnog in richness and flavor. These festive beverages—often coconut-based, warmly spiced, and generously infused with rum—are deeply tied to culture, history, and family tradition. No shade to Coquito , which has earned national recognition...